In the aftermath of the tragic “Rust” film set shooting in 2021, recent developments reveal that prosecutors in New Mexico are planning to re-charge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter.
This comes only five months after the same charge was dismissed against the actor due to the emergence of new information related to the case.
The 100% preventable incident on the “Rust” film set saw a prop gun fired by Baldwin discharge a live round of ammunition, which resulted in the death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and injuries to director Joel Souza1. In previous interviews, Baldwin consistently stated that he did not pull the trigger.
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” he remarked in a conversation with ABC News.
However, one key question that continues to swirl around media discussions is whether the gun was fired under direction, impulsively, or unintentionally. It is a significant distinction because it could determine the degree of Baldwin’s culpability. The term “prop gun” has often been used without defining whether it was a real firearm or merely a prop. Earlier reports suggested that some crew members might have used the gun for target practice, making the term “prop” potentially misleading. As further background reveals, the film industry’s portrayal of firearms has its unique set of safety rules to prevent accidents. Yet, these protocols are only as strong as their weakest link.
Despite the ongoing speculation and media frenzy, Baldwin has actively denied responsibility, stressing that he was acting under the direction of Hutchins during the shooting.
“I’ll be particularly interested to find out if he fired the gun at the camera as directed or if that was something he did on his own. And that should be easy to quickly determine, provided those who know are willing to say,” said David Codrea, writing for Ammoland News.
Baldwin has also emphasized that he was not accountable for checking the ammunition or the firearm’s safety on the set. Baldwin’s attorney has highlighted a clause in his contract, which they argue absolves the actor of financial responsibility relating to the incident.
Codrea noted Baldwin’s longstanding use of guns in films and posited that ignorance of fundamental gun safety was an unlikely excuse. Codrea also suggested that Baldwin’s very public anti-gun sentiments might see an ironic twist if he becomes a “prohibited person” as a result of these charges.
With the looming threat of new legal actions and ongoing investigations, the careless and deadly incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in any environment involving firearms. The entertainment industry, in particular, may need to reassess its protocols in light of this tragedy.
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The term “prop gun” is used quite a lot in describing this tragic incident, when, in fact, a real handgun was used. In any case, basic gun safety rules were either ignored by Baldwin or weren’t known by him. Responsibility falls with whomever holds the gun.
The revolver used by Baldwin was a prop gun just as the Mustang used by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt was a prop car. In theater, TV and movies, “prop” really means “property” [of or rented by the production company]. https://theatregeekery.blogspot.com/2018/10/prop-theatre-etymology-part-41.html Baldwin is primarily responsible for not only ignoring the rules but as a producer with an overall set safety obligation. The armorer certainly bears some additional blame for either loading or not checking the ammunition in the revolver or allowing Baldwin or some other person to load the ammunition without an inspection. The property manager and the person… Read more »
Baldwin is entitled to his due process, but I think we all know that TPTB will give him a free pass and the whole matter will “quietly go away”, no matter how guilty we think he is. After all, he has a public reputation for being anti-gun and that reputation has to be protected at all costs so the gun grabbers can keep up their schemes.
Nothing to see here as he will get a slap on the hands and there will be no justice for the victims family .
There will be a civil trial, just as with OJ. He will be taken to the cleaners, and to Alex, that might seem as bad as jail time.
I believe that he had tried to bed her and was refused, so he goes bang your dead, not realizing that the gun was loaded with a live round/rounds. He was joking around like the azz he is and murdered that woman.
Right, Alec. You’re not to blame. It was that careless cinematographer and slipshod director standing just wher you intended to shoot.